The Stream, March 18: Low Water Levels Projected for Months in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron

Average water levels in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and other Great Lakes are projected to hover two feet below long-term averages through August caused primarily by extended drought and hot-weather expedited evaporation. That harsh reality, USA Today reported, continues to threaten economic activity of all kinds.

From Drought, Fire
Two wildfires flared in Northern Colorado last week — pointing to an early start to this year’s wildfire season. High temperatures and low humidity related to drought conditions across the state, the Guardian reported, have made fires more likely.

Californian Infrastructure
Construction could begin on a major Sacremento-San Joaquin Delta water withdrawal and restoration project without a complete understanding of how it will change regional flows. The $US 18 billion project is working with incomplete information on water-supply projections and habitat-restoration estimates, The Los Angeles Times reported, but a final decision is still a year or more away.

Nile Development
A new $US 15.3 million water management initiative in the Nile River Basin is designed to boost planning and development cooperation between Basin countries. The two-year project, Daily News Egypt reported, is the latest latest plan to come out of the 1999 Nile Basin Initiative.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.